Chico McClatcher averaged over 200 rushing yards a game and scored 29 touchdowns this season. He has dazzled crowds and opposing teams all year with his speed and quickness.
On Friday night, his talents were once again on display as he found the end zone five times in Federal Way’s 46-14 win over Mariner High School.
While always the threat to score on offense, McClatcher made his presence felt in all facets of the game. A 78-yard punt return and a 52-yard interception return were the biggest plays of the night for Federal Way.
“We’ve talked as coaches about how a five-yard run sometimes feels a little bit anti-climactic,” says Federal Way head coach John Meagher. “He’s scored in every way imaginable. He’s just special and we’re lucky to have him.”
McClatcher was not the only big performer of the night. Running back Andrzej Hughes-Muray had the first big play of the night on a 60-yard run on the Eagles’ offensive possession.
“It was pretty sweet,” says Meagher. “We were looking for a big play and he just squirted out of there, almost held the other kid off. Just like having a big play like that on your first drive.”
Chris Williams, another junior running back, would finish the drive off with a five yard touchdown run.
Mariner was able to answer back early in the second quarter after slowing the Federal Way offense a bit. A crazy sequence with three fumbles between the teams at the end of first quarter ended with a Mariner touchdown early in the second quarter.
“We had three turnovers in the first half and that’s three too many,” says Meagher.
From that moment on it was all Federal Way as the Eagles would go on to score 39 unanswered points before allowing a Mariner touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The majority of the second half was played with a running clock.
Starting Federal Way quarterback D’Jimon Jones is out for the year with an undisclosed illness. Gabe Togia, a sophomore, started the game in his place and was efficient.
“He’s been great, especially stepping in at a moment’s notice type of thing,” says Meagher. “We haven’t done a whole lot different in the way we called the game because he’s ready.”
Since opening the season with the two losses, Federal Way has won eight straight games. They will look to make it nine straight in the first round of the state playoffs against Union.
In the first game of the year, Union beat Federal Way 34-27. Federal Way led 21-7 at the half but was held to nine total yards of offense the entire second half of the game.
McClatcher only touched the ball on two of the 12 offensive plays for Federal Way that half. He still scored on a 99-yard blocked field goal return.
“We’re just hoping that we can put them away this time,” says Meagher. “They bled us dry the second half. We need to do a better job of getting off the field this time. It should be a great game. We’re looking forward to a little redemption.”
Federal Way will play the Union Titans on Friday, Nov. 14 at Federal Way Memorial Stadium. The winner will have a road game against Newport of Bellevue or Lake Stevens in the quarterfinals.
Federal Way’s Chico McClatcher races to the endzone during a 78-yard punt return against Mariner. It was his fifth touchdown of the night. Photos by Terrence Hill, for the Mirror
Federal Way’s Jamon Chambers dives into the endzone for Federal Way’s sixth touchdown of the night during their win over Mariner.
Federal Way’s Andrzej Hughes-Muray runs through tacklers for a 15-yard gain during Federal Way’s win over Mariner High School.
Federal Way’s Ben Koler looks to the sideline for the play call during the third quarter of Federal Way’s November 7 win over Mariner at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.
